((Art trade for Freyja, info here))

The gates are closed. The door sealed shut. He walked along, hearing others play and laugh, but not joining them. He just kept walking, that's all. He didn't care for their games, and only liked quiet company for the most part. But lately the Forest had been more loud and obnoxious that he just wanted his space and quiet.

Brynhried stopped and sniffed the air. Something had caught his senses, he had a whiff of a smell in the breeze that made him relax a little. Where was it coming from?

North..., his mind told him. He turned and walked out of the Birch Forest, approaching the Pond. Stopping at the waters edge, he breathed in the air once more. It wasn't here, but he needed a drink of water anyway. After cooling his body, he continued north, crossing the old bridge. He enjoyed the feel of the stonework beneath his hooves, the sound it made as he walked across. It was a simple pleasure of his.

The smell was getting stronger, and soon he saw the Old Oak emerge in the distance. He could tell it was coming from there, and as he walked he saw a lone fawn approach him. "Hello, do you want to play?", the fawn asked.

Brynhried stopped and looked at the little one for a moment. "I'm busy.", he replied, and kept on his way toward the Old Oak. That scent had him very intrigued, he had to know what was going on. The fawn tilted her head, and curiously followed the stag.

Brynhried stopped at the base of the great tree. The smell was overwhelming as it filled his lungs, he felt his body shiver in primal delight. He could not resist but to step inside of the shelter the Oak provided and sit, letting himself mellow and fall into a deep trance. The fawn looked in at him, "I thought you were busy. What are you doing in here?"

The stag replied strangely, "Don't you smell it? That scent...it's so...", but he couldn't finish the sentence, as he drifted into a deep slumber.

The fawn tilted her head once again. "Scent? I don't smell anything.", she replied, but Brynhried didn't answer. She approached and sat by his sleeping body, pressing onto his side to give him warmth. She knew he was asleep, but she couldn't help to ask, "Why is your body so cold?"

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Brynhried awoke suddenly, startled that he didn't recognize the place he was at. A thick golden meadow filled his eyes. This was not the Endless Forest. Before he could call out, he heard a voice speak to him - a soothing, but powerful voice. He had heard it before, a long time ago...

"My child, do not be afraid. I am the voice of Nature herself."

The deer was slightly startled, but he stood his ground, asking, "Where am I? What is this?"

"You are simply in a dream, but you are here to be tested.", the voice said.

"Tested? What do you mean?", Brynhried asked.

"I have watched you since you were born. I have seen you grow, but I am worried about you. I want you to be strong but kind, I am saddened when you shun others around you.", the voice explained.

"Shun others? I don't...", the deer began, but he caught himself. The fawn...she was right, he did exactly as she said he did. "It's just my nature then."

"My child...", the voice sternly spoke, "I taught you much better than that."

"What do you want me to do? Be someone I'm not? Why do you criticize me?", Brynhried snapped.

The voice didn't answer. Instead, the deer saw a herd frolicking farther away in the meadow. It was a kind doe, a noble stag, and two fawns, all together, all happy. There was a strange sense within him as he saw the herd.

"I don't know them...", he tried to say, but before he could continue speaking, his heart stopped. He saw something orange nearby, creeping out from the grass, holding a rifle that pointed at the family of deer.

"A hunter?! But...he's going to...", Brynhried said, startled at the sight.

"It's your choice, my child. Save them, or let them die.", Nature's voice said to him.

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"Oh my twin gods! Someone, help!!", a nameless stag cried out. Others soon came, wondering what was going on, all shocked to see that the Old Oak had caught on fire. The flames were too thick for any of them to get too close.

"Is anyone in there?", the deer called out.

"Help! Help us!!", the fawn within the Oak cried back. She kept nudging Brynhried's sleeping body. "I can't wake him up! I can't...!!", she was choking on the smoke that was accumulating in the tree.

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Brynhried's heart pounded. That moment played out so quickly, he couldn't think. He didn't have time to think.

No! I can't let them die!, he thought, and rushed toward the hunter. The human saw him coming, and turning his rifle, aimed at the charging deer.

Blam!

The two collided into one another, Brynhried knocked the hunter out cold. The sound of the gun was so loud that the herd ran as fast as they could. They fled the area, and Brynhried cringed, the bullet lodged deep into his chest, piercing his heart.

"I'm dying! I'm dying!!", he cried out.

"Rest, Brynhried. You passed the test. Remember, this is only a dream.", Nature's voice called to him. At once, the hunter vanished, and the deer's wound was no longer there.

"Now that I know you would save total strangers, you have a real test to pass.", she continued.

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"We can't get close enough!", the deer clamored. "The poor fawn! We can't get to her!"

"Look, there's someone coming out of the Oak!"

A silhouette appeared before their eyes. A stag emerged, seeming to walk through the fire without any harm. In his mouth he clenched a young fawn. As he stepped out of the Oak, the blaze seemed to die out instantly.

Brynhried walked toward the group, placing the fawn before them. She opened her eyes, coughing smoke and breathing in fresh air.

"You saved her, and you saved the Old Oak! You are a hero!", the deer cheered for Brynhried.

He lowered his head, and turning, he walked away. "Don't call me a hero. I was just doing what anyone else would.", he spoke under his breath.

The crowd all called out to others to tell the tale. Soon the whole Forest knew about their new hero. After a while, there were no others near the Oak, except for one - the fawn returned, smiling.

"Well done, Brynhried. It's a start, but I will help you reveal your true nature.", she said, her body becoming grass, dirt, and vines, seeping into the ground.

The gate was opened, just a crack, just enough to break the seal.